Bangladesh have suffered a huge setback as Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2018 due to a fractured wrist. The left-handed batsman has been leading run scorer for Bangladesh in the limited-overs format since January 2017.

The 29-year old has scored 1187 runs in 20 innings at an average of 74 with four centuries to his name. Bangladesh has been heavily reliant on Tamim to do the bulk of the scoring at the top of the innings. His numbers are even more impressive despite the fact that players like Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes have been poor during this period.

Tamim is expected to be out for at least six weeks and will undergo rehabilitation process to regain full fitness. The opener was struck on the wrist by a delivery bowled by Suranga Lakmal during Bangladesh’s opening game against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2018.

He was forced to retire and was sent to the hospital for further examination. Bangladesh Team manager Khaled Mahmud said that Tamim has suffered from a fractured left wrist.

The Bengal Tigers lost two early wickets in the first over as Lasith Malinga provided early breakthroughs for Sri Lanka. Tamim Iqbal was retired hurt as Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun played leading roles in Bangladesh posting a decent score on the board.

Bangladesh will be looking towards the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan to do the bulk of the scoring. Rahim has been in tremendous form in the one-day game and averages 46 for Bangladesh since January 2017.

Rahim has scored over 1000 runs and will be keen to continue his rich vein of form in the Asia Cup 2018. Shakib Al Hasan is also suffering from finger injury as Bangladesh will be hoping that he can get through the competition without any trouble. Mahmudullah Riyad also a decent player for Bangladesh but hasn’t been in the best of form in limited-overs cricket.